 CAFÉ Zen is celebrating the exotic flavors of Indian cuisine from Oct. 12 to 21. Guest chef Mahendra Rathod blends fragrant spices from scratch and combines them with fresh ingredients to create over 30 dishes of his homeland. These include an array of mouth-watering curries and masalas that reveal rich, robust layers of flavor with each bite. During the food festival, guests have the chance to win a round-trip air ticket from Hong Kong to New Delhi in a lucky draw. Other prizes include a voucher for a spa aromatherapy treatment and cash coupons for Christmas. Highlights of the 10-day food festival include biryani, butter chicken and lamb rogan josh. Rathod prepares biryani by layering basmati rice — often referred to as the “King of Rice” — with lamb, chicken or prawn curry. This results in a dish of contrasting textures, as the smooth, intensely flavored sauce and meat envelop the nutty rice. A signature Indian dish, butter chicken, or murgh makhani, features boneless chicken leg marinated in a spicy sauce that includes garam masala and chilli. The tender meat is then roasted and finished with a creamy tomato-based curry that includes cumin, cloves, cinnamon and fenugreek. Lamb rogan josh, a classic dish of Persian origin, consists of braised boneless lamb cooked in rich gravy spiced with cardamom, cloves and dried Kashmiri chillies. Vegetarians will be spoilt for choice, as the food festival features healthy specialities such as Dahl Makhani, a rich lentil dish; Aloo Gobhi Adraki, a lightly spiced potato and cauliflower dish; and Vegetable Jalfrezi, slightly sweet and sour assorted vegetables cooked with peppers. Guests can enjoy the promotion at the regular price of 198 yuan per person for lunch from Mondays to Fridays and 238 yuan per person on Saturdays and Sundays. Dinner is available at 268 yuan per person from Sundays to Thursdays and 328 yuan per person on Fridays and Saturdays. Children aged between 6 and 12 can enjoy the buffet for half price, and it is free for children aged 5 and under if accompanied by paying adults. Prices are subject to a 15-percent service charge. Add: 4088 Yitian Road, Futian District Tel: 2151-3838 (Amber Zhang) | 